Religion and sanity combined.

Taoism is more than a "philosophy" or a "religion". A Personal Tao grows out as:

A system of belief, attitudes and practices set towards the service and living to a person's own nature.


The practice of Taoism is to flow with life.

From A Personal Tao - www.personaltao.com

Actually more a philosophy than a religion. And since it doesn't include a god, I agree with it on that point!

One of the basic premises behind the Tao is that it's difficult to understand, to comprehend, to grasp, to embody. Actually, it can't be named or told, and be the true Tao. And that's what makes it appealing, I think. If I can actually live the Tao, who knows what my existence will be like? I can't comprehend it, much less understand the implications it could have in my life. But if I study it a lot and practice it enough, I just might reach that level. And, then, lucky me. And the mystery, the possibility, promised in it...well, who isn't curious about that? And how can we throw a rating and opinion on something that supports the idea it can be named or told? I'm not saying we shouldn't. We just can't with much accuracy, according to the teachings.

I think Taoism is hard for a lot of people to grasp because, in its simplest form, it's just about letting things be as they are. And that seems to be the hardest thing for humans to do. Just read the Tao Te Ching and let its simplicity and uncommon common sense touch you. It's not about worship or blind devotion or following commandments; it's about being natural and simple, emulating nature's path, and engaging in action by way of non-interference. Some people interpret this as laziness, but which is lazier -- mindlessly following the crowd, or setting off on your own path, guided by nature's rhythms but without any ultimate guideposts? Indeed, this may just be the bravest and most challenging path of all. It forces you out of your reliance on easy, comfortable answers from holy books (including the Tao Te Ching itself!) and forces you to search within, refine yourself, and figure out the answers on your own. Lao-tzu said he had only three things to teach -- simplicity, patience, and compassion. From there, it's up to you. And that is a beautiful thing, if you have the courage to see it through!

Taoism is in severe decline and will soon be down to a curiosity. Western thought, Christianity and materialism are increasing in China and that is its last stronghold. Modernism is its main enemy in China at the present time.

The Taoist, or Pooh Bear, philosophy is mainly not to disrupt the natural flow of things. Let things come and be as they are. While this approach is great with handling failure (it was meant to happen that way, it is for the best), it basically encourages laziness. There is no real sense of drive or ambition, as the ambitious are viewed as jealous or disruptive. While we need a few Taoists around to keep peace, the bottom line is that the world would take a few leaps back in time if Taoists ruled.

One of the best spiritual books I've read is the Tao te Ching.It is more like a philosophy than a religion,though.It's emphasis seems to be advice on living with integrity and accepting & harmonizing oneself with the Universe.

Very very good - but in my expereince there is a fine line between Taoism and Alcoholism.

Aside from those that seek to turn the very basic philosophy of the Tao Te Ching into a theistic wank fest, Taoism is like corn bread....ain't nothin' wrong wit it!

More of the same. Blah, blah, blah

Taoism is the ultimate philosophy. It is not a religion, instead a way of life that is not mutually exclusive with any other religion. Taoism teaches how your energy in life attracts other similar energies. Simply translated: have a good soul, and you will attract goodness; act maliciously, and you will attract evil. The Tao (Way of Life) promotes harmony with nature. Instead of being upset and short tempered, it will inspire you to find a silver lining in every scenerio in your life. Revert to your childlike innocence before you understood the supposed stresses in life. Nothing has changed since that time except for you. While it is somewhat cryptic and difficult for the western mind to fathom, once you begin to understand, if you continue your exploration it will hit you like a flood of water. It helps me to paint a smile on my face and deal with everyday stresses.

Over 40 denominations. Thiestic forms eliminated by the commies. Most scientific religion. I have read many Daoist books, hardly do they ever mention any of their gods. Daoists focus on the Greater Dao (God). The best Daoist book I have read is the 'Wen tzu' (although its politics p'd me off). It teaches you to meditate by focusing on your breath. I like Luke Skywalker am a Jedi. Channeling the force and with my Chi I can move or levitate objects at will and I am controling your mind right now.

Tao (the way of the Absolute; the way of the Force): derived from animism & ansestor worship, (ancient-)physics, philosophy, before 2600BC (In 2800BC?). In 2200BC Eperor Sheng-nong combinined all the shamens in the land into an organized religion (the oldest). Philosophy - all existance has been only in relation to an external Absolute (the Tao) the course of life & its foundation in relation to external truth. It advocates dicipline & non intervention with the course of nature, of sincerity, honesty, simplicity & selflessness, wereby the deciples can atain a state of harmony and union with the Tao. The Tao transcends the human relm, is invisible & universal. It is a force that is the source of all things. The primal essence (the Tao) evolved intelligence and creative ability bringing foth all things (Lao tzu). Its basis is to "go with the force." Experiance of the Tao is to be realised through silent contemplation, the absence of mental and physical strain, doing nothing and avoiding mortal sins which atract demons which cause bad luck. All phenomena are the result of interactions of two cosmic forces (created by the Tao), yin (passive force) and yang (active force) eg. the relation between night and day, shade/light, winter/summer, female/male, sorrow/joy, water/fire, evil/good, antimatter/matter, destruction/creation :- are all manifestations of the interplay of yin and yang. Another force belived in is Chi (some times called the minor tao) found in air, water, food and our bodies. Taoists strive for happiness and longevity. Taoism includes prayer, magic, special diets, breath control, meditaion (diffrent types depending on sect but often imagining motion of bodyly forces within or blank mind), recitation of scripture, astrology, divination, alchemy, communication with spirits of the dead & sexual practices. Its superstitious side is called Fung suai. The political policies of most of its scripture are radical ultranationalism (but not hardline), allowing almost absolute freedom (exept conscription) and has enviromentallist policies. Scripture: Tao-te-ching, I-ching, Chuang tzu, Lieh tzu, Huai-nau tzu, Hui ming ching, The golden flower and the Art of War. Chinese medicine, Kung fu, Tai chi, Qi gong, and Jujitsu (Japanese original killer judo) all are derived from Taoist thought. Greatest sage is Lao tzu. Taoism has many gods (angelic & demigods/Saints) and many sects (schools). Diffrent schools are panthiest, monothiest, athiest, promiscues, celibate, for or against magic, vary politically etc. Athietic schools controdict the context of there scripture. If you eliminate politics and superstition its philosophy forms the basis and backs up Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and many other religions.

Interesting to learn about.

any religion that has more than one God is not a religion.

Too many Gods

if it derived from animism,I can't accept it.

not so interesting.

Far, far, far, FAR too many deities. I don't know how they manage to worship all of them---they have thousands (and that is not an exact number, so any of you who might happen to be taoists, don't jump on me if I'm wrong) of gods/goddesses. I enjoy reading about the taoists, though. I think they are a very interseting group of people. However, interesting is not everything, or at least in this context it's not. So three stars overall.